05/12/2021
The theme of the 2021 International Day of the Midwife is actually, “Follow the data and invest in midwives.” So that’s what I want to talk about today. I want to talk about the data, supporting midwifery care around the world. In many countries around the world, midwives actually make up the vast majority of the obstetric care workforce. For example, in the United Kingdom, there are more than 31,000 midwives compared to 6,000 obstetricians.
In Germany, there are around 24,000 midwives compared to around 4,000 Obstetricians and in Japan there are more than 25,000 midwives compared to less than 8,000 OBs. This is in contrast the situation in North America. In the United States, there are about 12,000, certified nurse midwives, and 102 certified midwives and about 2,400 certified professional midwives. This is in comparison to 43,000 obstetricians in the United States. In Canada, there are roughly 1,900 midwives compared to more than 2,000 obstetricians.
Now let’s talk about why midwifery care is so important and why we need more midwives, and more midwives of color. Research studies on midwifery care often focus on the midwife-led model of care. In the midwife-led model of care, pregnancy and birth are viewed as life events. Family-centered care is the norm and care is holistic in which midwives care for the physical, psychological, spiritual and social wellbeing of their clients. The midwife-led model of care also includes continuous support during labor.
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